Toronto GP may be saved

UPDATE The Indy Racing League will not have stops in Toronto and Mont-Tremblant, Que., this season. However, IRL boss Tony George says the open-wheel series will try to fit Edmonton into its 2008 schedule.

George and Kevin Kalkhoven, former Champ Car co-owner, made the announcement today at a news conference to announce details of the merger of the two series. George says there is a possibility Toronto will be added to the 2009 schedule but is less optimistic about the future of the Mont-Tremblant race.

The season-opening race at Homestead-Miami Speedway is less than five weeks away.

02/22/08 The IRL will reportedly include Champ Car's Long Beach, Edmonton, and Surfers Paradise (Australia) races for 2008, and perhaps two more Champ Car events.

The IRL does not have a race scheduled on Portland's weekend. However, a much stronger Champ Car event — Toronto — is already positioning itself to perhaps be run as an IRL event on July 27.

Mike Nealy, who has helped promote the Portland Champ Car races since the event began in 1984, said his understanding is that the Edmonton race, originally scheduled for July 20, will slide into Portland's spot. The Oregonian